SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Clashes erupted between a unit of Peshmerga forces affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and fighters from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the Region’s sub-district of Sidakan late on Wednesday.
Bahram Yaseen, commander of Halgurd forces belonging to the KDP, accused the PKK fighters of attacking the command’s unit in Sidakan sub-district, northeast of Erbil.
“The attack was foiled,” KDP-affiliated media quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, Roj News belonging to the PKK said KDP’s Halgurd forces attacked the PKK with heavy weapons, planning to “set up a base there”.
“They were told by the guerrillas that they cannot be stationed there and they are warned,” Roj News reported
“The KDP fighters opened fire. They even used Rocket-propelled grenade. Therefore, the guerrillas opened fire on the sky and the KDP fighters ran away and left the area,” the PKK-affiliated media said.
The incident comes as Turkey continues its military operation against the PKK in Duhok province.
Turkey launched a new ground and air defensive in Duhok on April 23. The Turkish military has entered nearly 10 kilometers deep into the Kurdistan Region.
The Turkish military has established a dozen military bases in the Kurdistan Region’s border areas with Turkey as part of a military campaign against the PKK.
Residents of Kesta village in Kane Mase sub-district in Duhok have evacuated the area after Turkey intensified airstrikes against PKK positions in the area, a local official said.
On Tuesday, Iraqi border guard forces set up four military bases in Duhok province to prevent the Turkish forces from advancing deeper into Iraqi territory.
“More military bases will be established in the near future to prevent the Turkish army from further advancing into Iraqi territory and to reduce clashes between Turkey and the PKK,” a source in the Iraqi border guards told Esta Media Network.
Turkey regularly carries out air and ground attacks against the PKK in northern Iraq. It says neither the Iraqi government nor the Kurdish government has taken measures to combat the group.
